Estrella Cubana Restaurant
Last inspected: Feb 23, 2026
12
Score
Estrella Cubana Restaurant has been inspected eight times since 2022. Estrella Cubana Restaurant was last inspected on Feb 23, 2026. High risk indicates the latest inspection turned up problems worth knowing about.
The trend has not been favorable: recent inspections average around 12 violations each, up from closer to six violations before.
The pattern that stands out is “stored food not covered”, which has been cited four times.
Restaurants in Hialeah average 76, so Estrella Cubana Restaurant trails the local norm. This restaurant has more on its record than most do.
8
Inspections
4
Critical latest
4
Major latest
22
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 23, 2026
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 4 major violations. 22 minor violations.
View 30 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed Raw beef steak (47F - Cold Holding)inside reach in cooler at kitchen area. As per operator for more than 4 hours. Stop sale issued. Operator discarded during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Food placed in soiled container/equipment. Observed uncovered ham touching dirty and rusty shelf inside walk in cooler at kitchen area. **Warning**
08B-27-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Observed raw shell eggs stored on top of green plantains inside shelf at walk in cooler. Operator stored properly during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08A-04-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed Raw beef steak (47F - Cold Holding)inside reach in cooler at kitchen area. As per operator for more than 4 hours. Stop sale issued. Operator discarded during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
01B-02-5
Intermediate - Nonfood-grade basting brush used in food. Observed inside coffee machine at front counter. Operator discarded during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
14-14-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed can opener blade soiled on shelf at storage area. **Warning**
22-02-4
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Observed no chlorine test kit expired 06/2018. **Warning**
16-37-1
Intermediate - Required employee training provided by a third-party employee training program and operator unable to provide original certificate for employees trained. Observed no original certificates for Yamila R., Rosmery G., Martha T., Ehilyn G., and Chanay L. **Warning**
53B-09-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed 1 employee engaged in food preparation with no hair restraint at front counter. **Warning**
13-03-4
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. **Warning**
35B-01-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed accumulation of food debris on the floor at walk in cooler. **Warning**
36-73-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed case of plastic water bottles stored on the floor at front counter. Employee stored properly during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08B-38-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed tongs stored on fryer door handle. Employee put it inside three compartment sink to be wash. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
10-20-4
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Observed microwave interior soiled at kitchen area and front counter. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
22-08-4
Basic - Missing drain plug at dumpster. **Warning**
33-11-4
Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. **Warning**
51-13-4
Basic - No copy of latest inspection report available. **Warning**
51-18-6
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed chest freezer gaskets soiled all around kitchen area. **Warning**
23-03-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Observed reach in coolers interior soiled in front of cook line area. **Warning**
22-16-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed ham, cheese, raw pork container, black beans stored uncovered inside walk in cooler and reach in cooler at kitchen area. **Warning**
08B-12-5
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed 1 piece of raw beef thawing at room temperature on top of chest freezer at storage area. Employee put it under running water a three compartment sink at kitchen area. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
06-01-5
Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed walk in cooler shelves rusty at kitchen area. **Warning**
14-17-4
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed grease accumulation all around kitchen and storage area. **Warning**
36-27-5
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed ice buildup inside chest freezers all around front storage and kitchen area. **Warning**
14-69-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed ice machine interior soiled with black mold like substance at front counter. **Warning**
22-20-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed bowl with not handle inside wheat container at front counter. Employee removed bowl. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
14-01-5
Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Observed walk in cooler door handle soiled with grease accumulation at kitchen area. **Warning**
23-24-4
Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Observed clean utensils not inverted inside container under under preparation table at kitchen area. **Warning**
24-05-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed 2 groove cutting boards on top of preparation table at kitchen area. **Warning**
14-09-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed employee phone and purse stored on top of clean utensils inside shelf next to stove at kitchen area. **Warning**
40-06-5
12
Sep 26, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw chicken stored over raw pork inside reach in cooler next to triple sink. Operator properly rearranged. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-20-5
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Observed microwave interior soiled.
22-08-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed next to triple sink.
31B-04-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed raw beef (frozen) thawing at room temperature at storage. Operator placed inside wic for proper thawing. **Corrective Action Taken**
06-01-5
74
Mar 6, 2025
Routine - Food
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
86
Aug 1, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
64
Feb 8, 2024
Routine - Food
4 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Intermediate - Establishment has no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal event where the vomit or diarrhea is discharged onto surfaces in the establishment.
11-27-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Kitchen can opener.
22-02-4
Intermediate - No proof provided that food employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses.
11-26-1
Intermediate - Probe thermometer not used to ensure proper food temperatures.
05-10-4
Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner.
24-05-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Most cooked foods in the walk in cooler.
08B-12-5
61
Nov 15, 2023
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Metal stem-type thermometer soiled.
22-12-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw shell eggs over cooked beans inside walk in cooler, operator properly stored it. **Repeat Violation**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed garlic and oil mixture (78°F - Cold Holding) for less than 4 hours as per operator. Operator properly stored inside reach in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance.
36-34-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed reach in cooler and food stored container exterior soiled.
23-03-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed beans (40°F - Cold Holding) no covered inside walk in cooler.
08B-12-5
Basic - Unsealed concrete floor in food preparation, food storage, warewashing area or bathroom. Walk in cooler and dry storage area.
36-02-5
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust.
36-27-5
50
Jun 28, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Operator unable to provide documentation for source of fish. See stop sale. Observed unpacked fish inside reach in freezer operator unable to provide source.
01A-15-4
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food originating from an unapproved source. Observed unpacked fish inside reach in freezer operator unable to provide source.
01B-04-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed bowl inside salt container.
14-01-5
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer.
14-69-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hand wash sink soiled.
23-03-4
Basic - Unsealed concrete floor in food preparation, food storage, warewashing area or bathroom.
36-02-5
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust.
36-27-5
58
Oct 28, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 12 minor violations.
View 15 violations
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from one another based upon minimum required cooking temperature when stored in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Observed raw beef stored over box with breaded shrimp.inside reach in freezer. Employee re arranged foods according to minimum required cooking parameters. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-17-6
Intermediate - Paper towel dispenser at handwash sink not working/unable to dispense paper towels. Observed next to 3 compartment sink towel dispenser in disrepair.
31B-05-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed cooked chicken, pork, beef, and black beans according to cook from 2 days ago no date labeled. Manager labeled food containers with preparation date. **Corrected On-Site**
02C-02-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed foam cup used to dispense salt. Employee discarded cup. **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Observed at storage area. **Repeat Violation**
36-32-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. **Repeat Violation**
36-34-5
Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Observed pots not inverted.
24-05-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed small chest freezer, lid hinges broken, lead corroded. **Repeat Violation**
14-11-5
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Observed in front of 3 compartment sink at front counter area.
36-22-4
Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Manager stored ice scoop with handle upwards. **Corrected On-Site**
10-08-5
Basic - Light shield damaged/in disrepair. Observed at kitchen area light shield broken above preparation table.
38-01-4
Basic - No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. Observed inside refrigerator at kitchen.
05-09-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Observed inside refrigerator at kitchen.
22-16-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed containers with raw chicken, pork and beef inside walk in cooler no covered. Employee covered food containers. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-12-5
Basic - Unsealed concrete floor in food preparation, food storage, warewashing area or bathroom. Observed at storage area. **Repeat Violation**
36-02-5
39
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Estrella Cubana Restaurant last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Estrella Cubana Restaurant on file is from Feb 23, 2026. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Estrella Cubana Restaurant?
Across the inspection record, “stored food not covered” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Estrella Cubana Restaurant.
How does Estrella Cubana Restaurant compare to other restaurants in Hialeah?
Estrella Cubana Restaurant most recently scored 12 out of 100, which is lower than the Hialeah average of 76.
Has Estrella Cubana Restaurant's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Estrella Cubana Restaurant have averaged around 12 violations per visit, up from roughly six earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Estrella Cubana Restaurant means the most recent inspection flagged either critical violations or a substantial number of smaller ones. Diners may want to read the violation details before deciding to visit.
How often is Estrella Cubana Restaurant inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Estrella Cubana Restaurant is inspected around two times per year on average.
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